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Cameron Parish jurors discuss Venture Global's $5 million offer for coastal structures, request full CEA review
Summary
Parish staff told jurors Venture Global offered $5,000,000 to construct coastal structures in exchange for a water-taxi obligation; jurors raised concerns about scale, Corps of Engineers permitting, and asked for the CEA to be circulated and Venture Global representatives to attend a July meeting.
Parish staff briefed the Cameron Parish Police Jury on June 11 about a proposed amendment to the parish’s community economic agreement (CEA) with Venture Global. Staff said Venture Global has offered to construct $5,000,000 worth of coastal structures in exchange for the parish’s water-taxi obligation tied to the Jetty Pier.
Staff described the historical trade-offs in the CEA — the parish previously abandoned a section of Davis Road in exchange for Venture Global building Lighthouse Bend, a marina, a boat launch and a pavilion — and said that, after Hurricane Laura damaged the Jetty Pier, the jury reconsidered requiring Venture Global to provide a water taxi. In lieu of restoring the Jetty Pier or a perpetual water taxi, Venture Global proposed funding construction of shoreline structures that staff described in the transcript variously as "drones" and later as groins intended to provide public fishing access and potential coastal-protection benefits.
Staff said the company offered to spend the $5,000,000 within three years; initial parish estimates indicate that sum might pay for only three to four such structures depending on construction costs, while jurors said their prior aim was closer to a minimum of ten structures extending from Rutherford Beach through Johnson Bayou. Jurors emphasized the need for engineering and modeling to avoid increasing erosion, noted uncertainty about U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permitting, and suggested the parish request alternative or contingent projects if permitting fails.
Jurors asked that the full CEA be circulated for review and recommended inviting Venture Global representatives to a July meeting to discuss specifics and potential counteroffers. Staff agreed the CEA is a public document on file with the clerk of court and said it can be shared with jurors ahead of further negotiation.
Why it matters: the proposal ties a private offer of coastal construction to a longstanding development agreement and could affect shore access, coastal resilience and permitting requirements. Jurors signaled caution about accepting the $5,000,000 offer without further technical review and negotiation.
What’s next: the jury will place Venture Global on the July agenda, distribute the CEA for juror review, and consider inviting company representatives to discuss project scope, siting, and permitting.
